Extracurriculars - they say quality > quantity, but...

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm having a hard time believing it. I do not have many extracurriculars. At all. I am dedicated to my tiny list of activities, but when the valedictorian of my class mentions how many activities she has, I have a mini panic attack.
I do not play any sports or musical instruments. I am not a painter, I'm not in the drama club, I'm not in computer club. I could blame my family for never pushing me towards stuff like that when I was younger. I could blame my school for not offering an extensive amount of impressive clubs. I could blame myself for being interested in things that do not translate well to clubs - feminism, social justice, history, evolution... We don't really have clubs for fans of Darwin or Mary Wollstonecraft :p
But excuses are a waste of time.</p>

<p>Here are my "extracurriculars":</p>

<p>Editor of school newspaper since freshmen year. Will be editor in chief as a senior, a big responsibility since we have only recently become a print newspaper. </p>

<p>Mu Alpha Theta - I do more than the minimum work required for the club, though this is my first yr, and next year, as a senior, I will run for some position, but am unlikely to get it.</p>

<p>I have 150 volunteer hours, will probably end up with about 200, and sort of have a "job" working in concessions at the local athletic association. I wrap food in tin foil, sell it to people, and get paid by the head of concessions. It's volunteer work but I get paid...</p>

<p>Future extracurriculars:</p>

<p>National English Honor Society - doesn't actually exist at our school yet, but when it does (hopefully this year!), I'm fairly certain I will be admitted to the club and will run for some position because I love English and English teachers love me. Writing is my strength.</p>

<p>National Honor Society - acceptance/rejection letters have not been released yet.</p>

<p>Ta-da, 2 total activities with 2 in the works. Bye, Duke University. It was nice dreaming of you. Because really, what does a 4.7 GPA matter if I don't have clubs to show my "leadership" abilities? </p>

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<p>adcoms know that much of what goes on the app is little more that participation…you signed up, showed up, and did what everyone else did. The “Quality” you seek are situations where you stand out. They especially like initiative, situations where you started something instead of just joining it. </p>

<p>So for your newspaper work…editor is nice. Consider submitting some articles for your local paper. How about interning over the summer at the tv station? Use your writing skills to draw attention to a need in your community. Put those together and it tells a story about you and how you used your skills to make a difference. </p>

<p>If you get paid its not volunteer work, sorry. Decline the salary and offer to work for free or its employment. </p>

<p>GL. </p>

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<p>edited.</p>

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<p>A big job like editor of the newspaper is a good thing (which certain shows leadership ability). Don’t worry about what others do, be proud of what you have accomplished both academically and on the work/activity front. Put in applications at a range of schools and see what happens. </p>

<p>And yes the concession job is not volunteer job – but you can put it down as part time work which is generally appreciated by schools as much as an EC.</p>

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<p>@mitchklong‌ </p>

<p>Thank you for your advice! I think I could do that. Our current editor in chief writes for a youth version of the local newspaper. I’m not sure what it’s called/how she got such a position, but I think that would be neat. I just feel like focusing on journalism is odd considering I want to major in biology. But I do really enjoy being on the news staff.</p>

<p>Also, thanks for clarifying - about the volunteer work, I mean. In the past I have received volunteer hours there (unpaid) but now am being paid. So does that count as having a job in high school? I mean, I’m not exactly a cashier at Target or something universally recognized as a job, but it’s something.</p>

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<p>@happy1‌
Thanks! Yes, I am proud of myself - or at least was, until recently. My school is horribly overcrowded, very diverse, and hard to stereotype, but I do know one thing. We are not very competitive + do not send too many kids to ivy league schools. Basically anyone with a 4.4+ GPA is worshiped at my school, and I had that GPA as a freshman! Our valedictorians are seen as otherworldly beings with their 4.8 GPAs. So compared to the people around me, I’m doing pretty well, and I was proud of that. But compared to the people I will be competing with at my top choices for college…not so much. All the academic awards that people list on CC…I’ve never even heard of them! Nobody at my school does extensive summer research or co-authors research papers or studies abroad in Spain or travels to Haiti for humanitarian efforts. I certainly don’t. I feel like a failure compared to the people who get into Duke (my top choice). </p>

<p>I’m rambling. Thank you for the response, I am glad to know that being an editor means something. Also, cool! So I guess I do have a job. That’s something, and at this point I will take anything.</p>

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<p>@Rationale‌ Don’t drive yourself crazy comparing your qualifications to others on CC. Keep the focus on your and what you have done. Schools also try to look at your accomplishments in light of what your HS offers. </p>

<p>AND there are tons of great colleges out there so don’t start pinning all your dreams on one hyper competitive school. Nobody no matter how good they are can be assured of admission to Duke (and I’ve seen some high quality people from our HS who didn’t get in). The only kids I’ve seen really hurt by this college process are ones get it in their head that there is only one school for them and if they don’t get in they feel like they won’t be happy anywhere else. The kids who understand that there are tons of great choices out there and if they don’t get into one school they will pick another one generally end up happy in the end. So, put your best foot forward, apply to a variety of schools that you feel you can be happy attending. If you get into Duke, that is great and if not move on and go to another great school that wants you.</p>

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<p>Yup, stay off the Ivy forums, they will just drive you crazy. You sound like a perfectly find candidate for a lot of colleges. When you mention that your school is not competitive with others, that is where standardized test scores come in. Colleges perk up when they see strong scores, as it indicates that your GPA isn’t just inflated because you might go to an easier high school. If you have a strong GPA and competitive test scores, I would say your ECs look fine. I agree that you should look for some kind of opportunity next summer to build on the ECs you have – a newspaper writing opportunity (okay to volunteer, the experience will be worth listing on your resume), volunteer at your local library, or look for an organization in your area where your interest in feminism or biology might be helpful</p>

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<p>“Writing is my strength.”</p>

<p>I agree. Your writing is very fluid; enjoyable to read. Wishing you the best.</p>

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<p>Often it is better to have one EC that you excel in…being in Editor in Chief is excellent! You have shown that you have stuck with it since Freshman year and that your skill and leader ship abilities have enabled you to be EdinChief.</p>

<p>Have you done other writing?</p>

<p>For the volunteer hours, do you do anything but the selling of food?</p>

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<p>

Your reply gets at the heart of what may be your problem. </p>

<p>It isn’t the number of ECs, in which top colleges really do look at quality over quantity. But there’s another thing ECs are used to infer, their real purpose in fact. Personal qualities – leadership, accomplishment, initiative. Top colleges want to see applicants like this. That’s why merely signing up for a bunch of things doesn’t impress colleges. </p>

<p>And here’s where you may have an issue. “I’m not sure what it’s called/how she got such a position” is a passive stance. Somehow it happened. Maybe it’ll happen to you.</p>

<p>Another approach is to set personal goals and make them happen. Come up with ideas and push to make them come true. Not all will, of course, but like the Gretsky quote says “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Landing one or two unique positions shows qualities to colleges that they look for in top students. </p>

<p>2 very interesting articles about ECs that stand out and how to get them (same author, different examples) are at [How</a> to Be Impressive](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/05/28/the-art-of-activity-innovation-how-to-be-impressive-without-an-impressive-amount-of-work/]How”>The Art of Activity Innovation: How to Be Impressive Without an Impressive Amount of Work - Cal Newport) and [Save</a> This Grind?](<a href=“http://calnewport.com/blog/2008/09/12/case-study-how-could-we-save-this-ridiculously-overloaded-grind/]Save”>Case Study: How Could We Save This Ridiculously Overloaded Grind? - Cal Newport) I don’t buy into his underlying explanation of why they are impressive, but take a look at these 2 articles and I think you’ll get some original ideas.</p>

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<p>Editor in chief is a very important position, many adcoms like to see that. My daughter started a blog when we lived overseas. The blog was to introduce new students (families) to local restaurants, stores, activities…She was then featured on her school’s magazine for her blog. </p>

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<p>@happy1‌
Thank you for reminding me of this. I’ve heard it said a million times - “don’t convince yourself that there is only one college for you” - but I still manage to forget it and convince myself that I won’t be as happy anywhere else. I will research some of the other colleges on my “maybe” list, and who knows? Maybe by the time I apply for schools, there will be a school I love as much as/more than Duke…and perhaps it will have a more forgiving acceptance rate.</p>

<p>@intparent‌
Yes, I have done some brief research on internships/opportunities in my area. I must not be looking in the right places because nothing has really caught my eye yet but I will keep working on it! I also think I should be cautious of stuff like working with a newspaper or library, because I fear that will contradict my intended major. Is it better or worse to be an aspiring biology major with a background in journalism and writing? I truly do not know if this seems contradictory or if it makes me seem “unique”…</p>

<p>@bopper
Outside of journalism, I write all the time but it’s never been seen by anyone other than myself…so it doesn’t count. However I do plan to enter many essay contests, because I’d like to have won some awards and because they often come with a monetary prize. So, no other writing yet, but it will happen.
As for serving food, I do many other things for the organization but I do not have any official position. I just help wherever help is needed, and I have been involved with setting up events (such as opening day) and tournaments. I also do other little things like taking inventory and teaching other volunteers what to do. But since I do not have an official position, I do not have a title that would imply all of these mini-responsibilities.
Also, now that I am being paid there to work a more rigorous and strict schedule, it is no longer just volunteering, and it would no longer fall under community service but instead would be job/work experience…idk if that’s more or less impressive.</p>

<p>@mikemac‌
You are right, I have never been one to take charge and pursue goals outside of what I was told. I used to be cripplingly shy and did not care about my future - I have always gotten good grades but only because I had nothing else to do. Last year I had a casual identity crisis in which I realized I did not want to be that person anymore. So I worked harder to secure my spot as future editor in chief, I joined Mu Alpha Theta, and now I want to continue what I have started for myself.
I am trying to take a much less passive approach to things. I just don’t really know how to seek out opportunities for myself, and I don’t know many people who can help me with that. Like I said, I want to enter essay contests, I want to intern somewhere, I want to do something impressive like other Duke applicants - conduct research or start a club or win a medal at a regional/state science competition. I’ve never been given those opportunities and I do not want to rely on being “given” them - I just don’t know how to take charge yet. I am new to this and entirely on my own. Nobody pushes me except myself, and I envy those whose parents and schools helped lead them to eventually co-authoring a research paper or interning for a program at a prestigious school.
Thank you for your advice, it was very insightful. I will try to gain a few more leadership positions in the next year or so, though I doubt I am popular to actually gain said positions. At least I’m trying?</p>

<p>This ended up being sooo long, like everything I write. It is a blessing and a curse. Thank you so much to everyone who has the patience to deal with my anxiety, lol. I know I’m just like every other person who posts on CC panicking about their lack of EC’s, experience, awards, etc. but I really appreciate everyone’s help.</p>

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<p>@Rationale: So okay, you have strength in writing and want to emphasize your interest in science…start a science blog for younger kids. Write reviews of local science museums for your paper. Interview locals who have interesting jobs in the sciences. Talk to your city’s emergency manager and find out what they’re doing to prepare in case of local cases of Ebola. The options are endless, and you should easily be able to come up with more. Don’t wait for people to ask you to do this-- OFFER to do it, not just for your school but for local news agencies (community newspapers are always looking for content because they often have only one overworked reporter who works parttime at Cracker Barrel to make ends meet). And then after you’ve done that, come up with more ideas.</p>

<p>One more thing, and I will be as gentle as I can…“at least I am trying” is a defeatist attitude. In the college applications game, “trying” doesn’t count for much. At the risk of Star Wars-ing you, “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”</p>

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<p>

I understand you are just a kid and can’t be expected to have adult attitudes and values. You need to develop them. That said, this quote marks exactly the issue you face. How do you know that other kids had parents and schools that “helped lead them”. Did some? Undoubtedly. Did all? I bet not! There are kids out there that come from backgrounds far less privileged than yours who said “I’m going to fly”, and made it happen. And lots of kids with similar backgrounds that figured out how.</p>

<p>Your bewilderment is not unusual. Lots of kids your age never really have to come up with their own ideas, they choose among things they are offered. Even college kids can do the same thing, then one day they are out of college and are at a loss of how to proceed. You learn how to proceed by proceeding! Try something. If it works, great. If not, you learned something and try something else. You can look on the web to see how kids got involved in research, you can search this forum, you can post in this forum (the Parents page might be a good avenue), you can ask your teachers, you can ask your friends, you can brainstorm your own ideas. </p>

<p>But the key is do something. At the end of the day, sitting around envious of others doesn’t change your situation one bit. </p>

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<p>Lots and lots of kids DO get a boost of some kind from parents or family friends on things like research. But a student with some moxie can find their own opportunities, too. If you live near a university, you could email professors to see if you can volunteer in a lab this summer.</p>

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<p>Honestly, I don’t know how today’s teens even function. The list of activities of some kids is staggering and completely insane. (and sometimes, I think people are lying/exaggerating) I was in high school just 12 years ago (ie: I’m 30) and back then my gen was starting to ramp up in terms of “DOING ALL THE THINGS” but it’s just gotten progressively worse. I feel really bad for you/your gen because quality really does matter over quantity. Really! There’s more value in being really, really interested in one or two things than doing 16 things where my main takeaway is “this student must not sleep” and “I wonder how many anti-anxiety meds they’re on?”</p>

<p>I think you’re going to be ok, especially if you’re applying to colleges for a writing discipline or journalism–being EIC for four years is impressive, and is also time intensive and would explain why you wouldn’t do a million other activities. If you’re really stressing, join one more activity senior year–maybe another writing related thing?</p>

<p>Your application will tell a story about you, and as long as that story relates to what your applying for, you’ll be fine. If you were applying to be a Chem major and had the ECs you have? I’d be concerned. But my guess is you want to be a writer or journalist, and you’ve shown that value in your ECs. (and the volunteering also tells them you care about people other than yourself, which is good! Your service hours don’t seem like padding in addition to a laundry list of ECs, but like something you’re genuinely invested in as a primary activity)</p>

<p>ALSO, surely you do things in your spare time/RL that relate to your interests? Feminism and social justice are awesome niche interests! Is there a place on the app you can highlight how you manifest those interests? In your essay, maybe? </p>